Australia survived a major scare from World Cup debutants Fiji to win their Women's Rugby League World Cup semi-final 30-14 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Sunday, with winger Abbi Church scoring four tries.

Fiji, playing in their first World Cup, made a stunning start against the defending champions. Five-eighth Luisa Yaranamua kicked a penalty goal in the 12th minute, then powered over from dummy half shortly afterwards to give the Bulikula an 8-0 lead. It was the first time since the 2013 World Cup final that Australia had failed to score the first points in a Test match.

The Jillaroos steadied themselves and hit back before half-time. Church crossed in the right-hand corner in the 24th minute after Tarryn Aiken and Tamika Upton combined, and Upton then raced away for a try of her own to level the scores. Fiji had a late chance to retake the lead, but a dropped ball in the final minute of the half sent the teams to the break deadlocked at 8-8.

Australia took the lead for the first time five minutes into the second half, when Church danced through from 10 metres out for her second try. Jaime Chapman then scored her 10th try of the tournament in the 44th minute, and Church completed her hat-trick by taking a pinpoint crossfield kick from Aiken on the full to make it 24-8.

Fiji refused to fold. Yaranamua produced a fine pass to send Maria Paseka over on the right edge in the 62nd minute, cutting the gap back to 10 points. But Church settled the contest with her fourth try, gathering a bomb and sprinting 80 metres to score, and Australia closed the match out 30-14.

Church finished with 205 run metres to go with her four tries, taking her tally to seven tries in four matches at the tournament. Captain Isabelle Kelly ran for 165 metres, while back-rower Olivia Kernick made 19 runs for 156 metres. Australia had one concern, with winger Chapman leaving the field with 20 minutes to play because of cramping.

The win sends Australia into a fifth successive Women's Rugby League World Cup final, where they will face arch-rivals New Zealand in Brisbane next Sunday, 15 November, as they chase a fourth straight title. Coach Jess Skinner praised her side's composure, saying: "We knew (Fiji) start hard and fast and they play this really exciting football that really challenged us." Fiji, who reached the semi-final after wins over Papua New Guinea and France, leave the tournament with their reputation greatly enhanced.